The Rebel Author Podcast

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number sixteen between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode sixteen. Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right  here . To find out more about Rachael, you...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Story hypothesis and how it connects to theme Max-Neef’s nine needs Developing the journey of a character through theme Raising stakes and conflict Key scenes to embed theme in your story Prose in the Market Webinar Information: I am running three session times to try and accommodate as many timezones as I can (more on this below). "Writing to market"...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Systems and structures to write faster Planning needed to write four books a year Why accountability works Lessons learned from selling direct Directing readers to your store Prose in the Market Webinar Information: I am running three session times to try and accommodate as many timezones as I can (more on this below). "Writing to market" isn't new. Bu...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Craft and business lessons from launching a series Creating and utilizing street teams successfully Using outreach to boost your launches Maintaining momentum between launches Streamlining the production of a series Prose in the Market Webinar Information: I am running three session times to try and accommodate as many timezones as I can (more on this...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Tools and software for selling direct Driving traffic to your Shopify store Lessons learned from selling direct Admin involved in having your own store Using social media to promote your store Find out more about Adam: Instagram @Northern_writer TikTok @a.p_beswick_author Author Store Rebel of the Week is: Luisa If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week...

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number fifteen between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode fifteen. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here . To find out more about Rachael, you...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Writing a children’s book from concept to completion Working with illustrators and translators Creating a high quality product The business side of back matter Creating clarity in your work Find out more about Holger: Author Website The Wrong Planet Rebel of the Week is: Anonymous If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Personal development books Choosing what to read next Starting a new reading habit Reading effectively and taking notes 11-step method for success Find out more about Nick: Rise of the Reader Nick's Website BookThinkers DM Nick at instagram.com/bookthinkers for personalized book recommendation Rebel of the Week is: Lottie If you’d like to be a Rebel of...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Writing about gender equality and women’s issues Choosing which messages to refine in your book Managing the emotional toll of writing sensitive topics Character development in feminist storytelling Using accessible language This week’s question is: what are you asking Santa for christmas? Recommendation of the week is: Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa Amaz...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Planning as an indie author Maker, manager and marketeer How to plan for 2024 What being a good publisher means Knowing what to measure This week’s question is: who or what is inspiring or motivating you at the moment? Recommendation of the week is: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch Apple   Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate li...

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number fourteen between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode fourteen. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here . To find out more about Rachael, yo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What does “editing for clarity” mean How to write with more clarity Developing self-editing skills When to use sensory details How PWA can help with clarity and sensory detail This week’s question is: What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from a creative failure or mistake? Recommendation of the week is: The Tropoholic's Guide to Internal Roma...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to leverage folklore in your narrative Using folklore as the basis of a fictional story Translating folklore into modern story Incorporating folklore without appropriating cultures Famous works that draw from folklore and mythology This week’s question is: what do you do for fun that isn’t reading, writing or work? Recommendation of the week is: Fo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Writing about taboo and controversial topics Educating readers through your work Working with sensitivity readers Setting and managing sales expectations Navigating genre expectations This week’s question is: what one book do you want to read before the year is out? Recommendation of the week is: Story Hypothesis: The Missing Piece of Your Fiction Puzz...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What the shadow is and its importance for writers Identifying shadow elements How to know if you’re tapping into the shadows Capitalizing on your shadow in the age of AI Shadow in a character’s back story and relationships This week’s question is: what are you going to complete in the final quarter of the year? Recommendation of the week is: Written in...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Business differences with middle grade fiction Marketing middle grade fiction How to engage with your audience Advice for in-person events Creating dialogue that resonates with younger readers This week’s question is: Tell me about a skill/party trick you have that would surprise people Recommendation of the week is: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Apple   Ko...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The four different types of series How to plan when writing a series Series arcs and what plot points they need Keeping later books engaging What to put in a series bible This week’s question is: What part of story do you find hardest to write and why? Recommendation of the week is: Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett Apple   Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA **...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  TikTok basics Ratio of engaging posts vs. promotional posts  Content creation ideas Capitalising on hype mode and content foraging Using lives to help your launches This week’s question is: Do you believe in the idea of a "muse" or do you think writing is purely a discipline? Recommendation of the week is: Kaleidoscope Find out more about A.K. and Anne...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The importance of setting in romance Romance subplot pacing Using a romance subplot to enhance the main plot Improving your writing using the senses Romance subplot for character development This week’s question is: where do you write? Recommendation of the week is: Rebel Folklore: Empowering Tales of Spirits, Witches and Other Misfits from Anansi to B...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The importance of having a system Balancing creative work and parenting Techniques for the writing/publishing process Streamlining your process with digital tools Community building as an author parent This week’s question is: What fictional world would you like to visit most and why? Recommendation of the week is: First Strike: Keepers of the Universe...

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number thirteen between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode thirteen. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here . To find out more about Rachael, yo...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What the creator economy is Community building vs. writing books How to authentically monetize our community Expanding revenue streams with author-owned brands Recovering from burnout This week’s question is: What are you struggling with in your author business right now? Recommendation of the week is: A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee Amaz...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How fan-backed film development works Developing an indie series into a movie Creating contacts for character research Writing characters who are different from us Creating rich settings This week’s question is: what’s the best writing conference or event you’ve been to? Recommendation of the week is: Smart Brevity by Jim Vandehei Apple Kobo Amazon UK...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What is the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award Marketing tips to sell more books on Amazon Advice for first-time authors publishing through Amazon KDP The algorithm and how to make it work for you Upcoming trends to pay attention to This week’s question is: What’s the best TED talk you’ve watched? Recommendation of the week is: How Writers Fail: Analysis...

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Overview of planning a novel Filling our creative wells Tips for brainstorming How to approach world building Things to consider before starting a series This week’s question is: Tell me the last thing you did for pure joy Recommendation of the week is: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses af...